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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Assaying for Inorganic Polyphosphate in Bacteria
Published on: January 21, 2019
31P NMR study of polyphosphate levels during different growth phases of Phycomyces blakesleeanus
Miroslav Zivić1, Joanna Zakrzewska, Milan Zizić
1Institute of General and Physical Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro.
Abstract:
The changes in relative polyphosphate content, estimated as the intensity ratio of core polyphosphate signal and intracellular inorganic phosphate signal from 31P NMR spectra, during the growth of Phycomyces blakesleeanus are reported. The ratio increases from 16 h to 28 h of growth, the minimum occurs at 32 h, followed by sharp increase up to 36 h, and a steady decrease afterwards. The changes in the biomass during mycelium growth showed steady increases, with a stagnation period between 32 h and 36 h during which a pronounced increase in the intensity ratio of core polyphosphates to intracellular inorganic phosphate signal occurred. The reduction of growth temperature from 22 degrees C to 18 degrees C significantly decreased the rate and intensity of growth, but the pattern of polyphosphate changes remained unchanged. The changes of the intensity ratio of core polyphosphates to intracellular inorganic phosphate signal are linked to characteristic stages of sporangiophore development. Analysis of core polyphosphates, intracellular inorganic phosphate and beta-ATP signal intensities suggest the role of polyphosphates as an energy and/or a phosphate reserves during Phycomyces development.
Insights
Polyphosphate levels in Phycomyces blakesleeanus change during growth, correlating with development stages. These polyphosphates likely serve as energy and phosphate reserves for the fungus.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Mycology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Polyphosphates are crucial in cellular energy metabolism and stress response.
- Understanding polyphosphate dynamics is key to deciphering fungal growth and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in relative polyphosphate content during Phycomyces blakesleeanus growth.
- To correlate polyphosphate fluctuations with biomass changes and developmental stages.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to quantify polyphosphate and inorganic phosphate signals.
- Monitored changes in relative polyphosphate content throughout the growth cycle of Phycomyces blakesleeanus.
- Assessed biomass changes and the impact of temperature variations on growth and polyphosphate levels.
Main Results:
- Relative polyphosphate content exhibited distinct changes, peaking at specific growth intervals and showing a minimum at 32 hours.
- A stagnation in biomass growth between 32 and 36 hours coincided with a significant increase in polyphosphate levels.
- Reduced growth temperature affected growth rate but not the fundamental pattern of polyphosphate changes.
- Polyphosphate dynamics were closely linked to characteristic stages of sporangiophore development.
Conclusions:
- Polyphosphate content changes are integral to Phycomyces blakesleeanus development and growth phases.
- Polyphosphates likely function as vital energy and/or phosphate reserves supporting fungal development.
- The observed patterns suggest a regulatory role for polyphosphates in managing cellular resources during growth.
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